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Portable meth lab, marijuana seized from Hector home near park

HECTOR -- A portable lab for manufacturing methamphetamine, nearly 2 grams of methamphetamine and about 4 pounds of marijuana were seized Sept. 17 from a home in Hector located near a city park and the Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart High School.

Justin Andrew Walker, 27, was at the home on the 300 block of Second Street West. He faces charges including first-degree manufacture of methamphetamine, third-degree possession of methamphetamine in a school and park area, fourth-degree sale of marijuana in a school and park area, and possession of methamphetamine precursors with intent to manufacture.

He made his first appearance on the charges Wednesday in District Court in Olivia, according to Renville County Assistant Attorney Glen Jacobsen.

Officers with the Brown, Lyon, Redwood and Renville County Drug Task Force, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Renville County Sheriff's Office and Hector Police Department executed a search warrant at the home, which the defendant shares with two others.

The criminal complaint filed Renville County alleges that they found nearly 2 grams of methamphetamine in a pill bottle with the defendant's name on it in his bedroom.

They found approximately 4 pounds of marijuana hanging in the closet to dry.

They also seized a large duffel bag that held chemicals and equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, including pseudoephedrine, lithium batteries, camping fuel, drain cleaner, hoses, coffee filters and jugs.

The items were coated in a white powder residue. A BCA agent participating in the search confirmed that the bag contained a portable lab for manufacturing methamphetamine.

The officers also seized a spoon with white residue, a grinder and scale, numerous plastic bags and needles and cotton balls.

Officers also searched a Chevrolet Suburban in the driveway registered to the defendant with South Dakota plates and found marijuana plant residue in the front seat and two firearms, a Marlin Model 60 .22-caliber rifle and Maverick Model 88 12-gauge shotgun, according to the complaint.

The defendant also faces charges in Minnehaha County in South Dakota for felony controlled substance, theft and domestic assault, according to the complaint. South Dakota records indicate he also faces failure to appear and fugitive from justice charges there.